DUBAI: As artificial intelligence, social media and digital devices reshape childhood, schools face a growing challenge: how can they embrace technology without losing the human connection at the heart of education? For GEMS Education AI is part of that answer, but not a replacement for teachers, independent thinking or parental guidance.
In an interview with Shaneer N Siddiqui, Managing Editor of The Brew News, Lisa Crausby OBE, Group Chief Education Officer at GEMS Education, discussed the priorities shaping the new academic year, from AI and screen time to homework and online safety.
The Brew News: Every academic year brings new challenges and changes. This year, we have seen guidance around social media and reducing screen time, while examination patterns also continue to evolve. What are the key challenges for GEMS Education this academic year?
Lisa: There will always be challenges, but it is about seeing a challenge as an opportunity. You will always have a regulator, whether that is an examination body or the government, and you have to follow those protocols.
But within those parameters, it does not stop you from making sure that we are delivering a world-class education for students. It is about being more creative around how we do that.
Education will always ebb and flow. There will always be something new that students will need to do, or another mandate. It is about leaning into that, while still making sure that the child is at the heart of everything and that we are delivering an educational experience that enables them to succeed and to be future-ready.
The Brew News: What new priorities can students and parents expect from GEMS this academic year?
Lisa: One of the things we are focusing on this academic year is the use of AI, particularly to reduce workload for teachers and then use that time to focus on the human connection.
A lot of our initiatives have been focused on that human connection. We have a whole series around family, a series around longevity and another around determining genius.
We have also put a lot more emphasis on our Centres of Excellence, which focus on the co-curricular offering at a very elite level, while allowing children to grow, develop and nurture their talents.
There is a bigger and more pronounced focus on this area this year than we have had in previous years.
The Brew News: Children today have access to an enormous amount of information online. What advice would you give parents about managing that information flow, and how can schools support them?
Lisa: I think there needs to be a lot of emphasis on some of the risks around that. We need to tell our students not to believe everything that comes up.
Sometimes students want the quickest and easiest option, so we need to make sure that they challenge everything and check everything.
Take the use of AI. We know students are using it, but are they using it and asking the right questions? That is a skill in itself. We also need to make sure the guardrails are there.
It is very difficult because children can be influenced very quickly by certain things, and they can become quite addicted to the use of devices and AI.
It does require discipline, and discipline is not always easy, particularly with teenagers. But we need to keep repeating the message and explain the reasons behind it.
For example, explain why screen time should stop at a certain time at night, because otherwise they may not get decent sleep or their brain may not recover properly.
Those messages, with the ‘why’ behind them, will often land a little better than simply saying, ‘No, I’m taking this off you and you can’t use it.’ Giving the rationale behind those decisions as a parent can often work better.
The Brew News: The UAE Government has announced changes around homework for younger pupils in government schools. Could GEMS consider a similar approach?
Lisa: I think homework has its place. To be able to go home and reflect on some of the learning from a lesson, but also to practise some of it independently, can actually add a lot of value.
People have different ways of doing homework, and I am not going to prescribe how to do homework.
It might not be called homework. It could be called something else, for example. But the ability to work outside of a classroom, do something independently and process that information has value.
The Brew News: One challenge parents face is keeping up with parental controls. Devices have built-in controls, but children can sometimes understand the technology better than their parents. Could GEMS provide parents with training to help them manage devices and online safety without constantly putting pressure on their children?
Lisa: Yes, it is a really good point. Giving more education to parents is a wonderful way forward, letting them know what they can and cannot do to keep their students safe and healthy as well.
Impact to expect: Editor’s Note:
Parents could see greater emphasis on responsible AI use, digital wellbeing and independent learning, while teachers may increasingly use AI to reduce administrative workload and devote more time to students.
